Case for detachable segment-lenses.



PATENTED OCT. 1,

H. G. HUFFMAN. OASE FOR DBTACHABLE SEGMENT LENSES.

APPLICATION FILED APB.15.'1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.`

nwuloz atto-away 1m: Nurmls Pzrsns co.. wAsHnyawN. mc,

PATBNTED OCT. l, 190'?.

i H. G. HUFPMAN.

CASE POR DBTAGHABLBSEGMBNT LBNSES.

APPLICATION FILED .APRI-5, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0.867,s75. PATENTBD oGT.1,19ov.

- H. G. HUPPMAN,

CASE FOR DBATAGHABLE SEGMENT LENSBS.

APPLIOATION FILED APB..-15, 1906. n

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

furent,

ms NoRRls PETERS co., wAsHlNufoN, o. c4

HARMAN G. HUFFMAN,

QF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO CASE FOR DETACI-IABLE SEGMENT-LEN SES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1907.

Application sie@ April 15,1905. serial No. 255,816.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARMAN G. HUFFMAN, a citizen of the United States, 'residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gases for Detachable Segment-Lenses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cases for detachable segment lenses and, more particularly, to engaging and supporting devices for such lensesin such cases.

The object of my invention is to provide simple and effective devices in a pocket case or box, for engaging and supporting, or holding, a segment lens, one or more, so that such lenses may be conveniently applied to, or detached from, the main lenses of a pair of eyeglasses or spectacles without fingering orhandling the former.

Since the small detachable segment lenses are slippery and not easily held by the thumb and finger and adjusted on the main lenses; and also become soiled by handling, I have devised means for receiving and holding such segment lenses whereby they may be slipped on to the main lens, or detached therefrom and supported in the case without touching with the fingers.

The matter constituting my invention will be set forth in the claims.

I will now describe the details of construction of my invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, in Which,-

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of a pocket case ,with the lid open, showing receptacles and supporting devices for segment lensesand a pair of main lenses applied thereto. Fig. 2 represents a similar view with the eyeglasses or main lenses removed. Figs. 3 and 4 represent vertical sections on line 3 3, Fig. 2 showing the lenses in different positions. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of a receptacle or supporting device for a segment lens. Fig. 6 represents a sectional View o a modied `supporting device. Fig. 7 represents a top plan view of a case with the lid open, showing modifled forms of supporting devices for segment lenses. Fig. 8 represents a section on line 8, Fig. 7. Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12 represent plan or face views of cases for supporting detachable segment lenses .and illustrate the manipulation of a pair of main lenses for applying the segments thereto without handling the latter. Fig. 13 represents a transverse section on enlarged scale on line 13, Fig. 9. Fig. 14 represents a plan or face view of an open case, partly in section, showing modified forms of supporting devices for segment lenses. Figs. 15 and 16 represent transverse sections on lines 15 and 16, Fig. 14. Fig. 17 represents a side elevation of part of the device shownin Fig. 16. Fig. 18 represents a longitudinal section on line 18, Fig. 14. Figs. 19 and 20 represent, respectively, a plan view and a perspective view of a modified form.

My invention for engaging and supporting segment lenses for bifocal eyeglasses may be constructed in various modified forms and applied in various ways to pocket cases, as will be pointed out and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The case A, its cover A, and the pocket guard a, may be made in the usual well known manner except as modified to adapt the same to my invention.

' Referring now, more particularly, to Figs. 1 to 6,

for engaging and supporting detachable segment lenses for bifocal glasses. Io the bottom of the case and at the further edge thereof are applied two pads or cushions a', one at each end, as shown in Figs. l and 2, for supporting the main lenses x. The front edge of this cushion may form a shoulder or abutment for engaging the upper edge of the segment lens y. To the bottom plate ofthe case may be soldered a small spring flange b, Fig. 6, at the iront edge of the cushion a/ as a bearing for engaging the upper edge of the segment lens.

I may provide a form B, composed of hard rubber, Celluloid, or other resilient material, as an engaging and supporting device for the segment lens y. This form B is made with an upper spring flange b and a lower spring lip b, forming a receptacle or recess d between them which will hold the segment lens y and admit the lower half of the main lens x, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Two of these forms are secured in the case A in any well known manner and may be covered with velvet or other fabric. The upper ange b is yielding and resilient, and the lower lip b/ is also suciently resilient to permit the segment lens y to be pressed into the recess d, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and retained therein by spring pressure whenthe main lens x is withdrawn. The spring lip b is curved outward to serve as a guide for the lenses and is tapered at the edges so as to project between the spring hooks z at the corners of the segment lenses y.

Instead of using the form B, the front a of the case may extend upward to form a spring lip b and the bottom of the pocket filled with cork, rubber, or some other yielding or resilient material as shown in Fig. 6. In this modified construction I preferably secure a small flange b to the back or bottom of the case A to form a resilient bearing for the top peripheral edgel of the segment lens y. The resilient material at the bottom of the pocket may be a spring and the fiange b may be rigid.

In the modication shown in Figs. 7 and 8, two forms inclusive, I will describe preferred forms of devices V C may be applied to the case or box. The device G may be composed of a metall or Celluloid form having a lower flange c provided with an interior or upper cushion c, Fig. 8, of rubber or other resilient material and an upper spring flange c. This form may be covered with velvet or plush. The recess d between the flanges c and c is just sufficient to receive a segment lens when such flanges are slightly pressed apart. After the lens is pressed into place the flanges will engage its op posito peripheral edges and hold it in position. The frame or mounting of these lenses is, preferably, provided with two little prongs z" which rest upon the rubber of the lower ilange. These prongs also assist in handling the lens to prevent it from slipping' in the lingers.

The device or iorm P, Figs. 14', 15 and 18, is constructed with an elastic wire p, having inwardly turned ends' secured in the base in any well known manner, and with a lower flange p also secured to the base or back of the case.

The device or form Q is constructed with a spring hook, or latch q, rivetedv or otherwise secui ed to the base A, and with a'flexible tongue qf, and lower bearing plate q as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. An opening may be made in the metal back of the form Q for the hook q to wor-k in', and in some instances the hook q may be air integral part oi the back of the forni iny case spring metal is used* The device may be further modified by use of a pad or cushion M and a wire bent to form an upper spring loop'm-andthe lower turned up feet m at the lower edge ofthe cushion, as shown in Figs. 19V and 20. This device serves to engage the upper and lower peripheral edges ofthe segernnt lens between the loop m and the feet m.

The upper flanges or bearings b, b, and c, Figs. 2, 6; and' 7 project substantially at right angles to the bottom ofthe case and are of a height corresponding closely tothe tliicknessof a segment lens, so as to form with the lower flange or Wall a shallow recess d open at the front for receivingv the segment lens, as shown in the drawings, andpermitting a main lensx to be freely slid over the exposed face of the segment and engaged with its hooks z, or disengaged therefrom. The upper and lower bearings pk and p Figs. 14, 15 and 18 also project substantially at right angles from the base or bottom of tlre case and provide a shallow recess between them with-an open front for receiving a segment lens and permitting'its convenient manipulation in'connection with a main'lens.

Evidently the upper bearing may be rigid and the lower bearing a spring or other resilient material, as c, Fig. 8, or cf, Fig. 13, since one rigid and one resilient bearing will suitably engage the opposite upper and lower peripheral edges of a segment lens and support the saine in a favorable position to be applied to, or detached from, a main lens. i

The operation of engaging the segment lenses y with the main lenses a', and removing or disengaging them therefrom and leaving them in the supporting devices is very simple and convenient and may be performed without touching the segments with the fingers, as illustratedY in Figs. 9, 10, 1l, and 12. The segment lenses y being in their receptacles or recesses dy as shown in Figs. 2 andi 3, the eyeglasses may be grasped by the bridge and placed loosely in the ease, as shown in Fig. 9, and then, by means of thc index lingers bearing on the upper edges of lenses fr, Fig. 1t), they may be pressed down into the receptacles so as to en gage with the spring hooks then by means ot the index linger, Fig. 11, bearing under the bridge, the lenses .t are slightly inclined forward into the position shown in Fig. It, thereby disengaging the edges oi thc segments from the upper bearings, when they may be removed from the supporting device, asl shown in Fig. 12. When it is desired to replace thc segments in the supporting device the main lenses carrying the segments are pressed down into the receptacles or recesses d so as to cause the segment lcnscs to he engaged between the upper and lower yielding bearings and then the main lenses, while lying on the cushions a, may be withdrawn, as indicated by dott cd lines in Fig. 3, thus leaving the segment lenses in tho supporting devices.

When using the device shown in Figs. 'Vl-1, 15 and 18, it will be evident that the resilient wire p iii-.ty be sprung outwards suiliciently to permit the segna-nt lenses y to be inserted in the recess and held in place by pressure on its upper and lower peripheral edges.

ln using the device shown in Figs. lt and `177, the main lenses will be inserted in the rcccss while nearly level with the back oi the case, thereby pressing down the hook g which will engage the upper edge of the segment lens y after the latter has been placcd into its recess. The tongue q will bc sutliciently llcxiblo and resilient to be readily raised or bent outward for allowing the segment lens y to be disengaged from the l hook q, when it is desired to retain such segment, on

the lens, and remove the two together. lhe hook q can be readily pressed back i'ar enough to engage the upper edge of the segment, even though the bottom or lower flange q/ of the recess is rigid.

By means of my case fitted with supporting devices foi' segments an operator may be convenicntly provided with a number of pairs of segment lenses ol diln ferent powers, and a pair of segments may be quickly and effectively manipulated to attach them to, or detach them from, the main lenses without handling or soiling them with the lingers. 'lho segments are also securely held in their recesses without danger of shaking about and scratching one another.

The mounting or frame of the ing hooks for engaging it with a main lens, is not herein claimed as it is made the subject of a separate application, Serial Number 247,929, tiled March 1, ,1905.

Having described my invention, what l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

l. A case for detachable segment: lenses havingl upper and lower hearings, one ot' which is resilient, formingl a shallow receptacle or recess between them open at. the front and adapted to receive and heal' upon upper and lower edges of a segment and permitting' a main lons to be applied thereto without'. handling such segmenti.

2. In a case or box a supporting' device t'or a segment; lens comprising lower and upper hearings projcctiiu:

recess between them,

segment, lenses, havti'om a base, and forming a shallow one of said bearings being of a height corres]endingr apv proximately to the thickness of the lens and one o1' the bearings being resilient for engaging the opposite peripheral edges of a lens, and permitting a Isecond lens to be applied thereto, substantially as described.'

il (l 3. A case 1or box having a bottom pad or cushion at its rear portion for supporting a main lens, a bearing at the loWeredge thereof, a lower resilient bearing at the front edge forming between the two a recess for a segment lens and a front guard-piece, substantially as described.

4. In a case or box, the combination with a pocket of o. supporting device having means for engaging the upper and lower edges of a segment lens, and a segment lens having means for engaging it with a main lens, whereby such segment may be manipulated by the main lens, for 10 attaching it to, 0r dei-,aching it therefrom, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HARMAN G. HUFFMAN.

Witnesses C. W. GILGEN, A. J. HUFJPMAN. 

